The Leprechaun squabbled down the steep bank of the river, Jackstarted to follow and Annie grabbed him,Jack, the whistle won't work for Willy. She said.
I know said Jack. We worried about that later. Right now we justhave to save Augusta. Come on!
Jack and Annie hurried after Willy, to the wide rushing river,How do we get cross? Jack asked.
Follow me along the river. Said Willy. And Iwill show you. Steplightly.
Willy stepped to head them along the river bank, Jack and Anniefollowed. Jack tried to step lightly, but it was impossible. Slopingthrough the mud, his boots filled with woos, and made squishingsounds with every step.
Theriver grew narrower and narrower, twisting and turning like asnake, the mist grew thicker until Jack could hardly see anything.
He pumped at Willy almost knocking him over.
Careful! Lad! Said Leprechaun.
Sorry. Said Jack.
Alright. Said Willy. Here wewill cross, hop from stone to stone afterme.
Willy disappeared into the mist, crossing the river, Annie followedhim, Jack started across too. He tried to hop carefully from stone tostone, but the stones were slippery, on his third hop, his boot slid offthe mossy rock and he splashed into the freezing water.
Jack ! are you ok! Annie called out a aloud whisper.
Yeah! I am fine.
Jack said.
He scrambled up. His clothes was soak and heavy, he really wasmisery now. he waited at other side of the river, and joined Annieand Willy.
Ah.. you fell in. said Willy.
That happened sometimes.
Come with me now, into the forest.
Jack, Annie and Willy walked under the trees, they passed old oaksand maples and crick in the wind, Jack shivered in his soaking wetclothes, a big black crow called from the high bear branch, Willyjumped then laughed,As! This is probably Patrick daily. He saidRover isthe Shea changed them into a crow for silly and parrothigh queen shoes.
Changed them into a crow? Said JackWilly nodded.
One of the Sheas favored the tricks, he said, change a human anddispleased them to animals.
Oh! Said Jack.
A white rabbit scabbed through the forest.
That’s bunny over there. Is not dow the formal miss shanmakati.
She was rude to the high king, said Willy.
Rude to the high king/ said Jack.
He was starting to feel like he was trapping in a nightmareThe Shea can not bear the rule of human. Said WillyLook there! He pointed to a frown, kicking out from behind fur tree.
Ah...it’s so cute. Said Annie.
Cute/ maybe. Maybe not. Said Willy.
Could easily be old john fooly. I heard he was changed with just abit of grouch. Come on!
Willy led Jack and Annie through the forest, until they came to atangle of briers and grumbles, the hallow hole of the Shea like justbeyond the stick. He said to them.
Do you still with the girl infantine friend?
Yes. Jack and Annie both whispered.
Thenall of you go.
And good luck to you. Said Willy taping his head.
What, aren’t you coming with us? Said Jack.
Oh, my..no.. said Willy.
The Shea will be fiercely knowing I show humans passed the houseof their hiding places. And I certainly don’t want to live the rest ofmy life as a weasel.
But won't they be angry at us for finding their secret hiding place/said Jack.
Possibly. Said Willy.
Here is what I recommend you to do.
Politely tell the high king, and high queen, did you just come lookingfor your dear friend and to take back to her loving family. The Sheaplaced very great value on friendship and family.
Ok! Said Jack.
Friendship and family.
And remember, be simple, direct and honest at all times. Said Willy.
simple, direct and honestrepeated Jack.
And polite. That’s the most important. Very very polite. Said Willy.
Very polite. Said Annie. got itAnother thing, said Willy, in the world of Shea, the old tales still live.
So don’t afraid if you see Odessa floating about, there are just bitsof pieces of old stories,Now, go, be simple, direct, honest and polite, and save your dearfriend before she’s lost forever.
Thanks! Willy. Said Annie.
Best of luck! Said Willy.
See you later. Said Jack.
Yah, I will be waiting for you. Said the Leprechaun.
Jack and Annie crouched down, and started through the thicket.
Thrones and briers pulled Jack’s wet coat, they scratched hishands, and got hot in his ears. Jack battled his way through thetangle of brush unto he caught up with Annie.
They both pushed their way out of the thicket and stepped into aglade.
Whoa! It’s like Mary said. whispered Annie.
It is like summer here.
No rainfall, no wind blow. Warm sunshine shone on the evergreenglade. In the middle of the glade, was a large grassy mound. At thefoot the mound, was a small doorway, fringed by stones.
That must be it. The hollow hole. Said Jack.
The secret home with Shea.
And that must be someone from the all story. Whispered Annie.
She pointed to a woman floating above the green mound, thewoman was wearing the flowers on her head, and carried a branchwith silver apples. She vanished in sunnyheights.
Whoa! Whispered Jack.
A small sailing ship appeared in the air, it had white sails and flagsflying. The ship too vanishedThen an old woman spinning and spinning appeared and a wispydragon. Then the knight with sword, the prayed images fadedintothe sunshine. Like wisps of smoke.
Wha..said Jack.
Listen. Said Annie.
The sound of drumming was coming from the doorway of grassymound,Come on, let’s look inside said Annie.
Jack and Annie snagged close to the small doorway it was nothigher than Jack’s waist, he and Annie knelt down, and peeredinsideThe hollow hole was filled with pale green light. Very small dancers,none of them than 8 inches tall, waved in the light. As drummerspunted tiny drums, the dancers danced together in rows. They heldtheir arms straight by their sides, and kicked their legs and turnedaround, around to the rhythm of the drums.
A small shinning couple set on high golden chairs, watching thedancers. They wore golden crowns.
They must be the high king and high queen. Whispered Annie.
Jack and Annie watched, until the rows of dancers parted. Thenthey could see a third person, watching the dance. She was notaller than the dancers, dripped around her shoulders, was a redcape.
It’s Augusta! Said Annie. |